There are 16 different tribal groups living in the Indian state of Nagaland, on the border with Burma. The Catholic Church has been present here only since 1948. Initially, those who embraced the Christian faith had to endure reprisals. They were forced to pay fines, were driven out of their villages or even thrown in prison. But these difficulties only made the faith stronger, emphasizes Father Solomon Vizo, the rector of the Seminary of the Good Shepherd in Dimapur.

Many vocations emerged from these early struggles. At present, there are 35 priests and 150 religious Sisters drawn from the local tribes. Father Solomon believes that "this is a sign that priestly and religious vocations are deeply rooted in the tribal peoples. The Church today needs spiritual and material support and human manpower in order to be able to pursue her mission, and to experience times of growth and development. That is why our Diocese of Kohima is striving to move forward in the spirit of the first missionaries, who first planted the Gospel in this part of the world."

There are close to 60,000 Catholics living in the state of Nagaland. They are ministered to by 94 diocesan priests, 72 religious priests and 324 religious Sisters. Happily, there are also many new vocations. In fact, the seminary in Dimapur, which accepts candidates from several different dioceses of Northeast India, is bursting at the seams. It can only accommodate 60 seminarians, however, with the result that many candidates have to be turned away.

Now the seminary is to be enlarged, so that it can accommodate an additional 20 seminarians and so that potential candidates will not have to be turned away merely for lack of space. ACN has promised to help for this extension with a contribution of $7,400. Will you give to enlarge this seminary in India? We are sure these future priests will gratefully remember you in their prayers.

This project is an example of our work. Your donation will be attributed either to this or to another similar project that accords with the pastoral needs that ACN witnesses.